Capture device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for retrieving an experimental marine torpedo, or any other load, which is adapted to float on the surface of a body of water, comprising a main inflatable center section and a detachable nose and tail section. The nose section includes automatic signaling means responsive to the presence of the head of the torpedo for automatically inflating the center section. Additional means are incorporated to permit rotation of the apparatus from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane when retrieving the load.

United States Patent Hettinger et al. 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] CAPTURE DEVICE 3,212,469 10/1965 Kershaw et al. ..1 14/20 [72] inventors: Frederic lee Hettinger, Hollywood, Fla.;

Bruce Calvin Gilmnn, Annandale, Va.

Ocean Systems, Incorporated, New York, N.Y.

Filed: Dec. 10, 1969 Appl. No.: 883,921

Assignee:

US. Cl. ..294/66, 1 14/20, 114/51 Int. Cl. B66c 1/12 Field of Search ..294/66; 1 14116.8, 50, 51, 54,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1950 Rhoads ..294/87 Primary Examiner-Joseph Wegbreit Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry AttarneyPaul A. Rose, Thomas 1Q OBrien, Dominic J. Terminello and Eugene Lieberstein [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for retrieving an experimental marine torpedo, or any other load, which is adapted to float on the surface of a body of water, comprising a main inflatable center section and a detachable nose and tail section. The nose section includes automatic signaling means responsive to the presence of the head of the torpedo for automatically inflating the center section. Additional means are incorporated to permit rotation of the apparatus from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane when retrieving the load.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBMR 7 3,647, 253

mi Caprure Device Nose u lll' INVENTORS FREDRIC L. HETTINGER BRUCE C.G|LMA av ATTO NEY CAPTURE usvrcs This invention relates to a capture device for retrieving experimental marine torpedos or similar type missiles from the surface of a body of water.

The retrieval of experimental torpedos from the ocean presents unique problems in that the torpedo includes delicate instrumentation, has a highly polished surface finish, may weigh in excess of 1 ton, and may be over 20 feet in length. Moreover, depending upon the ambient sea condition, the motion of the torpedo may vary from a relatively stable near vertical attitude to a state of quasiperiodic rolling and pitching while being subjected to erratic bobbing about the ocean surface. Conventional recovery techniques involve the use of swimmers and recovery ramps or hoisting equipment such as a ships boom adapted to connect to the torpedo by means of a winch. These various techniques have caused repeated damage to the torpedo casing, propulsion unit, etc.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a unique retrieving device for capturing the torpedo in any type of sea condition without causing damage to the torpedos polished surface and internal components.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a torpedo capturing device which is of light weight and which automatically grips the torpedo in response to the presence and position of the torpedo within the capture device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a torpedo capturing device which is operable by a single operator aboard a recovery vessel.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a torpedo capturing device which is adapted to be lowered in a substantially vertical plane for capturing the torpedo and which automatically rotates into a substantially fixed horizontal position for being lifted aboard the recovery vessel.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the torpedo capture device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view in section of the preferred guide release mechanism taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a front elevation of the swivel joint assembly of FIG. 1 shown in its normally armed condition;

FIG. 3b is a side elevation of the swivel joint assembly of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 30 is a front elevation of the swivel joint assembly of FIG. 1 in the actuated condition showing the cable at right angles to longitudinal axis of the capture device;

FIG. 3d is a side elevation of the swivel joint assembly of FIG. 30 showing the cable fastener locked in position.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in which the torpedo recovery device hereinafter referred to as a capture device comprises a nose section 12, a main compressible center section 14 and a tail section 16. Tail section 16 has a frustoconical contour 18 which acts to guide the floating object, namely a dummy torpedo, up into the nose section 12. The nose section 12 is formed of longitudinally and vertically disposed flexible ribs 20 which support a netting material 22. The netting material 22 is preferably of extruded plastic for preventing damage to the nose cone of the torpedo and to provide some additional structural support. A protective rubber-lined nose cap 24 is securely fitted over the top of nose section 12.

The main center section 14 of the capture device 10 is in the fonn of a cylindrical shell which is preferably composed of reinforced rubber. An expandable tube bladder 26 is circumferentially disposed about the center section and housed within a cylindrical casing 28 preferably of aluminum. Center section 14 contracts under the pressure of the bladder 26 to tightly grip an object enclosed therein. The nose and tail sections 12 and 16 are detachably fastened to each end of the center section 14 respectively. The common center of gravity of capture device 10 is located at approximately the center point 30 of the main center section 14.

The hydraulic actuating system shown generally as 32 is an integral part of the capture device 10 although shown functionally laid out in FIG. 1 for purposes of clarity. Hydraulic accumulator 34 releases hydraulic fluid to energize the expandable tube bladder 26 through a pilot-operated pressure valve 36 and a check valve 38. Fluid from the tube bladder 26 may be returned to the actuator through check valve 40 and manual return valve 42. A liquid-fill bleed valve 44 and a gas-fill valve 46 are shown connected to the accumulator 34. Accumulator 34 also supplies fluid to the guide release mechanism 50 through line 35.

The capture device 10 is held in the upright position by a cable 48 which is pivoted about guide release mechanism 50 and fixedly attached at one end to swivel joint assembly 52. Swivel joint assembly 52 is connected to the aluminum casing 28 of the center section 14. The other end of cable 48 (not shown) may be connected to any conventional hoisting apparatus for raising and lowering the capture device 10. It is preferred, however, to use the sea-lift crane disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,804 issued in the name of E. A. Link on Sept. 17, 1968. The crane disclosed therein comprises a boom, means for elevating the boom and a gimbeled load adapter which has controllable braking means for constraining the movement of the load adapter. Thus, the load can be accurately positioned with a minimum of sway.

Guide release mechanism 50 mounted on top of the nose cap 24 of nose section 12 is shown in more elaborate detail in FIG. 2. Cable 48 is guided under a circular member 53 which is shown in its normally extended position biasing the cable into the pivoted position shown in FIG. 1. In this position the capture device 10 will maintain a vertical posture for being lowered over the floating torpedo (not shown). The circular member 53 is connected by a rod 54 to a piston 56 located in chamber 58. The piston 56 is spring biased into the normally extended position shown in FIG. 2. As hydraulic fluid enters compartment 60 via line 35 the piston 56 is retracted against the spring force withdrawing circular member 53 and releasing cable 48. This action causes the capture device to rotate about its common center of gravity 30 until a horizontal attitude is assumed. A manual bleed valve 62 is shown in FIG. 1 for releasing the fluid from compartment 60 thereby permitting guide release mechanism 50 to return to its original state.

Upon release of cable 48, the lifting point of capture device 10 is transferred to the swivel joint assembly 52 shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a-3d inclusive. The end of the cable 48 is connected to a fastener 74 through which a shaft 72 extends as shown in FIG. 3b joumaled at both ends through a pair of mounting lugs 70 and 71 respectively. The mounting lugs are attached to the casing 28 of center section 14. A pair of spring-loaded pins 75, 76 are mounted in lug 70 in a normally biased position against slight detents in fastener 74. When guide release mechanism 50 is actuated, cable 48 and capture device 10 rotate relative to one another until the springloaded pins 75 and 76 are free to engage mating holes 78 and 79, respectively, in mounting lug 71. The spring-loaded pins 75 and 76 when fully extended as shown in FIGS. 30 and 3d act to lock fastener 74 into a rigid position in a direction with respect to the capture device.

Dummy torpedos used in practice firing exercises exhibit positive buoyancy and tend to float in a substantially vertical position. In operation the recovery ship (not shown) is positioned along side the floating torpedo. Cable 48 is reaved out thus lowering the capture device 10 in a substantially upright position over the torpedo nose. The tail section 16 guides the torpedo up into the nose section 12 until contact is made with the pressure signal bladder 80. The pressure signal bladder 80 automatically triggers the pilot-operated pressure valve 36 permitting pressurized hydraulic fluid from accumulator 34 to flow into the expandable tube bladder 26 forcing in turn center section 14 into tight engagement with the circumference of the torpedo. A bladder pressure of p.s.i.g. will exert a uniform radial capture force of approximately 60,000 lbs.

;Preferably simultaneously hydraulic fluid is directed to guide release mechanism 50 for transferring the effective lift point to the swivel joint assembly 52. As initial cable tension is applied, the capture device 10 and torpedo rotate about the common center of gravity 30 until a horizontal position is assumed with the swivel joint assembly 52 locked in place. Once the capture device 10 is lifted aboard the recovery vessel the manual hydraulic return valve 42 may be activated to release hydraulic pressure from the expandable tube bladder 26. Thereafter the capture device 10 may be disassembled by removing the detachable nose and tail sections 12 and 14, respectively, and separating the hydraulic lines by means of the quick disconnects 82 and 84. The torpedo may then be removed and the capture device 10 reassembled.

What is claimed is:

l. A capture device for retrieving a load adapted to float on the surface of a body of water comprising: a shell-type housing having a nose and tail section and a center section, said tail section being contoured to guide one end of the load into the .nose section; means for urging said center section into tight engagement against the circumference of the load; signaling means automatically responsive to the presence of the load in said nose section for energizing said urging means; a cable pivotally connected to said housing at a location proximate the center of gravity thereof for raising and lowering said housing; guide means through which said cable passes for maintaining said cable in substantial vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of said housing and guide release means for releasing said cable from said guide means.

.2. A capture device as defined in claim 1 wherein said nose and tail sections are detachable from said center section.

3. A capture device as defined in claim 2 wherein said nose and tail sections comprise angularly spaced flexible ribs connected by a netting material.

4. A capture device as defined in claim 2 further comprising a swivel joint assembly for pivotally connecting said cable to said housing, said swivel joint assembly including locking means for locking said housing when the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially traverse to said cable.

5. A capture device as defined in claim 4 wherein said guide means is mounted on said nose section and comprises a disk about which said cable is pivotally trained and wherein said guide release means comprises a piston and cylinder assembly connected to said disk.

6. A capture device as defined in claim 5 wherein said cylinder is fluid actuated to retract said disk thereby releasing said cable.

7. A capture device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for urging said center section comprises an inflatable member and wherein said signaling means comprises a pressurized bladder located in said nose section which upon contact with the load provides a signal for activating said inflatable member. 

1. A capture device for retrieving a load adapted to float on the surface of a body of water comprising: a shell-type housing having a nose and tail section and a center section, said tail section being contoured to guide one end of the load into the nose section; means for urging said center section into tight engagement against the circumference of the load; signaling means automatically responsive to the presence of the load in said nose section for energizing said urging means; a cable pivotally connected to said housing at a location proximate the center of gravity thereof for raising and lowering said housing; guide means through which said cable passes for maintaining said cable in substantial vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of said housing and guide release means for releasing said cable from said guide means.
 2. A capture device as defined in claim 1 wherein said nose and tail sections are detachable from said center section.
 3. A capture device as defined in claim 2 wherein said nose and tail sections comprise angularly spaced flexible ribs connected by a netting material.
 4. A capture device as defined in claim 2 further comprising a swivel joint assembly for pivotally connecting said cable to said housing, said swivel joint assembly including locking means for locking said housing when the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially traverse to said cable.
 5. A capture device as defined in claim 4 wherein said guide means is mounted on said nose section and comprises a Disk about which said cable is pivotally trained and wherein said guide release means comprises a piston and cylinder assembly connected to said disk.
 6. A capture device as defined in claim 5 wherein said cylinder is fluid actuated to retract said disk thereby releasing said cable.
 7. A capture device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for urging said center section comprises an inflatable member and wherein said signaling means comprises a pressurized bladder located in said nose section which upon contact with the load provides a signal for activating said inflatable member. 